Grace

There is never a dull moment with you. I keep reminding myself that you are two, and that accounts for most of your behavior. There is very little that happens that you don't see or comment on. You ask roughly 48602657 questions per day. Two of your favorite queries: "How's your day? So what did you do today?" You recently started getting more mischievous- when I turn my back for two seconds, you do things you know you're not supposed to. It's gotten to the point that I can't move everything out of the way every single time I leave the room- phone, water, the iPad, your sister...

You also have started throwing giant hissy fits over trivial matters. This morning there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth because your dad took one of your untouched pieces of cinnamon toast, after you declared that you were 'done' and wanted to leave your seat. The past couple of weeks, your tone has gotten decidedly more annoying when you want something that I'm not getting for you rightthissecond. You like your cheese with your whine. 

I know your little world got rocked when your sister was born. I'm so proud of how you're handling the transition. Yes, you get frustrated when I can't meet your demands immediately because I'm caring for Sophie at the moment. You also joyfully help with her- whether it's picking out a new outfit for her to wear, getting a clean burp cloth after she spits up (then taking the dirty one to the laundry basket) or trying to force her pacifier in her mouth or rock the bouncy seat like crazy when she's in it. (We're still working on channeling your energies elsewhere for the last two.) 

I love seeing how much you love your sister already. You flip out when she's awake ("her eyes are quite open!") and get so excited when you think she's looking at you that I have't the heart to tell you that her eyesight isn't very good yet, and besides, she wasn't really looking at you anyway. The little baby voice you use with her is precious. You're already a wonderful older sister.

I know that life is a little crazy right now, so thank you for being patient with me when I lose my cool with you. I promise I'm working on it. Thank you for every single time you tell me, "You're a good little mommy," especially on the rough days. I love you so much, and life is so much better with you in it.